Blog

The link between dental health and the body’s overall health and immunity is often underappreciated. If you ask your dentist near the Miami Airport, however, avoiding mouth diseases is vital to keeping the body safe from other afflictions. 

Oral Health Problems Tie Up Immune System Resources 

When you suffer from a dental health issue, your immune system diverts its resources to help you combat the infection. These resources include the white blood cells and killer cells that slay the bacteria that cause the disease.  

However, if another ailment breaks out in the body, the immune system will have fewer resources to fight it. Your recovery from multiple infections will be slow and could leave you susceptible to other sicknesses.  

Oral Diseases Are Linked to Ailments Affecting Other Body Parts 

There is evidence of oral problems causing or complicating infections in the other body parts. For instance, severe gum disease can impede a diabetic’s already impaired insulin production. Worse, the relationship between the two conditions is a two-way street. Diabetics have a high risk of developing periodontitis.  

A person suffering from periodontitis is also at risk of developing cardiac infections. Bacteria from the infected gums can find their way to the bloodstream and contaminate the heart valves. This disease is called infective endocarditis or IE. It’s difficult for any person to recover from IE because the valves don’t receive blood supply and thus cannot get the needed killer cells from the immune system. 

Mouth Diseases Can Affect Pregnancy and Childbirth 

According to experts, gum disease can cause hormonal changes in a pregnant woman’s body. An expectant mother may give premature birth from the altered hormonal actions. The baby may also be underweight at birth and have difficulty thriving in the following months. 

Maintaining good oral hygiene is doubly crucial for pregnant women. Hormonal action could exacerbate the presence of plaque and lead to the development of gingivitis or periodontitis. 

Always Give Your Dentist Near the Miami Airport a Visit 

You can avoid complications of gum disease by practicing good dental hygiene. This includes regular visits to your dentist, so any infection can be treated early. Call us now for an appointment.